Décerné à Denis Duboule pour l’ensemble de sa carrière scientifique.
Spécialiste de la génétique du développement, Denis Duboule est un pionnier de la recherche sur les gènes Hox, ou «gènes architectes» , qui orchestrent l’apparition des membres et des organes. Sa découverte des gènes Hox chez les mammifères a permis le développement d’un domaine de recherche particulièrement actif.
Denis Duboule, Prix International 2010
Brochure Prix INSERM 2010 (extrait)
Communiqué de presse INSERM
Preventing the Misuse of Life SciencesProgress in molecular and cell biology, genetics, microbiology, bio- technology, systems biology and other life science disciplines will greatly benefit mankind. However, the risk of misuse is real and is a challenge to public health services and national security. All stake- holders in the life sciences should be aware of the dual-use character of their work.
A team led by Luis Lopez-Molina demonstrates how the coat of dormant seeds controls the process of germination.It is during germination that plants are most vulnerable. One of the safeguards designed to prevent “false starts” is expressed by a state of dormancy of the seeds, which is maintained until the appearance of optimum environmental conditions. The team has identified an essential process by which the embryo comes out of its lethargy, which takes place in the seed coat. The study, described on the October 18, 2010 in PNAS, also provides a framework for studying how environmental factors cause the awakening of dormant seeds.